“Parades are not cheap,” said Tom Long, commanding officer of the American Legion Post 1424. “Parades don’t happen through osmosis, parades don’t happen without hard work and, probably more importantly, they don’t happen without money.

“Without the help of every sponsor, the parade would no longer happen,” he added. “I want to say thank you, on behalf of the veterans for your participation.”

Bruce Hadley, an Air Force veteran and member of Continental Post 1424, echoed Long's sentiments.

“One of the reasons why I participate in the parade is for those who never came back home or were injured,” said Hadley, a 30-year resident of Forest Hills. “The least I could do is represent them and their loved ones by being a participant and marching every Memorial Day.”

The Memorial Day Parade will be held on Sunday, May 28. It will begin at Metropolitan and Ascan Avenues at noon and march to Remsen Memorial Park at Trotting Course Lane.